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LeBron James was aware his monumental run of putting up 10+ points was in danger. At the decisive instant, however, it didn't concern him.

The right decision involved passing the rock – which is exactly what he did. Consequently, the legendary streak was over.

James's astounding streak of over 1,200 straight regular-season outings scoring at least ten concluded during a recent game, when the league's career points king had only eight points during the Los Angeles Lakers' close triumph versus Toronto. He delivered the decisive pass, setting up Rui Hachimura to knock down a triple to win the game.

“Nothing,” James said when asked regarding the conclusion of his run. “The important thing is we won.”

An Unselfish Decision Seals the Game

James could have attempted to win the contest – and extended his record – with the last shot, instead, he decided to dish the ball to his teammate in the left corner. Hachimura made the shot, prompting James exulted immediately.

It's about playing the game the proper way. Always make the right play,” James noted. “That’s just been my M.O.. It's how I was taught to play. I’ve done that throughout my career.”

James is fully cognizant of how many points he's scored during a game,” commented the team's head coach JJ Redick. He made the play like he’s done countless times.”

The Streak's Final Moments

He returned to the floor one last time at 5:23 remaining, the win and his personal record both hanging in the balance. He had a mere six points from a 3-for-15 performance then.

He managed a basket at 1:46 left to tie the game but then missed a 14-footer at one minute to go that would have taken him into double figures.

He passed up a subsequent shot – but could have. A teammate found him with a few seconds left, yet LeBron chose to dish it off instead.

“The basketball gods, when you play it correctly, they will bless you,” Redick stated.

Reflecting on an Unparalleled Streak

The record commenced over eighteen years ago. It was easily the most extended double-digit streak in professional basketball: His Airness, Michael Jordan had 866 consecutive games with 10+ points, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar had 787, and The Mailman recorded at 575.

He is such a pass-first superstar,” remarked Lakers center Jake LaRavia.

He simply plays the game of basketball. He could have shot but given who he is on the court and just who he is off the court, he chose the pass, passed it to Rui and secured the game.”

Scoring in double figures had typically been a guarantee long before the fourth quarter began. Throughout his run, he had attained ten points entering the fourth over twelve hundred times before this game.

Yet two of those unusual single-digit games after three periods took place in the last week: He recorded nine entering the final quarter against Dallas on 28 November, followed by six going into the fourth against Phoenix earlier in the week.

James managed to keep the streak alive in the Phoenix game. One game later, it finished – yet he was celebrating anyway.

I only ever make the correct play. That is instinctive, regardless of outcome,” James declared. If you make the right play, the sports deities consistently rewarding me.”